Black Culture Fest (BCF) is coordinated by Black staff from across the OPL who represent the diversity of African/Black communities and proudly share the brilliance + strength of our heritages. We support programming for Black History Month (and beyond), while also providing opportunities for professional development, collaboration, and community-building among Black staff members.
BCF Events
African Flavors
From the soul food of the American South to Caribbean Creole food, discover select OPL titles on Black peoples' diverse culinary traditions.
Poetry Anthologies for Black History Month
From traditional to contemporary poetry, delve into these abundant selections of poetry anthologies.
Slam! The Poetry of Black Resistance
Spoken word and the art of Black resistance are showcased in this selection of OPL titles.
Global Black Cinema & the Art of Filmmaking!
Get inspired by this rich and varied sampling of historical, documentary and narrative photographic/cinematic work- all available at OPL!
African Flavors
From the soul food of the American South to Caribbean Creole food, discover select OPL titles on Black peoples' diverse culinary traditions.
Poetry Anthologies for Black History Month
From traditional to contemporary poetry, delve into these abundant selections of poetry anthologies.
Slam! The Poetry of Black Resistance
Spoken word and the art of Black resistance are showcased in this selection of OPL titles.
Global Black Cinema & the Art of Filmmaking!
Get inspired by this rich and varied sampling of historical, documentary and narrative photographic/cinematic work- all available at OPL!
The mission of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH®) is to promote, research, preserve, interpret and disseminate information about Black life, history and culture to the global community.
The 2025 Black History Month theme, African Americans and Labor, focuses on the various and profound ways that work and working of all kinds – free and unfree, skilled, and unskilled, vocational and voluntary – intersect with the collective experiences of Black people.Â
Blogs
Behind the Book: Interview with Author Meikko Sheiree
We all love a good book but what does it take to publish one? Oakland author, Meikko, talks about her writing and publishing journey.
Staff Favorites: Black Visual Artists and Painters
By Yohan Smith, OPL Library Aide at the Rockridge Branch, SFMOMA Museum Guide, and SFMOMA Volunteer Librarian! “When Possible:…
Oakland Black Galleries
Inside Thelma Harris Gallery
The Black Arts Movement in Oakland and Berkeley
The Black Arts Movement was a vibrantly creative period that has had a lasting cultural impact on the East Bay.
Behind the Book: Interview with Author Meikko Sheiree
We all love a good book but what does it take to publish one? Oakland author, Meikko, talks about her writing and publishing journey.
Staff Favorites: Black Visual Artists and Painters
By Yohan Smith, OPL Library Aide at the Rockridge Branch, SFMOMA Museum Guide, and SFMOMA Volunteer Librarian! “When Possible:…
Oakland Black Galleries
Inside Thelma Harris Gallery
The Black Arts Movement in Oakland and Berkeley
The Black Arts Movement was a vibrantly creative period that has had a lasting cultural impact on the East Bay.